meta-roj

if there is any example of the cost to culture, this could be it. it has apparently been illegal to show eyes on the prize, even in classrooms, since 1993.

Cash Rescues Eyes on the Prize [wired, 2005.08.30]

The 14-part series, which chronicles the history of the civil rights movement in America, has been blocked from television rebroadcast and DVD release by a thicket of copyright restrictions on the hundreds of photos, music tracks and video clips used in its making.

But thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Ford Foundation and a philanthropist’s $250,000 donation, the process of re-licensing that material has begun.

assuming my math is correct, that means it just cost $850,000 to save this amazing piece of work from rotting away in a vault forever (and it could be more, i suppose…)

also of note, this $850,000 ransom to copyright holders, which apparently also includes people singing “happy birthday” to martin luther king, jr., will not be enough to secure rights for home-video release.

more from npr.

things are quiet here, but i had to sneak in and put this on the record for my own sanity.

Schiavo Case Goes To Federal Judge [washington post, 2005.03.21]

The law that Bush flew back to Washington from his Texas ranch to sign at 1:11 a.m. Monday shifted jurisdiction of the Schiavo case from the Florida courts, where the Schindlers have been rebuffed for the past seven years, to the federal courts.

so we know that when something really, really important happens, our president can make it back to washington even in the middle of the night.

Vacation Ends, and Crisis Management Begins [washington post, 2005.08.31]

After a month-long retreat at his Texas ranch, Bush returned to Washington on Wednesday in crisis-management mode, where his administration is likely to remain indefinitely.

we also know what’s not really, really important to this president.

i also heard, in passing, that the comfort would be headed to the gulf coast in the next few days. seems to me that decision is a bit late too.

in the meantime, there’s a classic photo of the president playing fiddling while rome burns….err. i mean… playing guitar while nawlins sinks.

looks like the end for cbgb…

Last dance at famed New York punk rock venue CBGB [reuters, 2005.08.31]

The club’s lease on its premises in the city’s grungy East Village neighborhood ran out on Wednesday and the landlord has refused to renew it after a rent dispute.

this gets blogged here because once upon a time, i actually ran sound for a band in this space… i am one with the cbgb grime.